Pediatric illness influences not only the child with the illness but it also the family. The extent to which the illness influences the child and family varies according to factors such as the age of the child, the child's adaptation level and ability, interaction between child-mother-father, family balance, seriousness of the illness, pain, medication, and limitations and length of the illness. Numerous researches have shown that child illness can negatively affect parents and siblings. Researchers emphasize that families experience a higher level of anxiety right after the illness is diagnosed, and then the anxiety levels reduce over time. To cope with decreasing life quality and increased level of anxiety, families should seek professional support and become informed about their child's illness and treatment options.

Keywords: çocuk hastalıkları, stres, hastalığa karşı tutumlar, anne-baba, kardeşler, pediatric illness, stress, attitudes toward illness, parents, siblings